Body Dampener

ABSTRACT

The Body Dampener is comprised of vibration and shock dampening flexible band, a fastening apparatus, a vibration and shock dampening device, and vibration and shock dampening filaments and is wrapped around an extremity of the human body to offer compression, vibration dampening, and directs vibration out of the body. The vibration and shock dampening device is attached to the vibration and shock dampening flexible band. The vibration and shock dampening filaments are attached to the vibration and shock dampening device or the vibration and shock dampening flexible band. The vibration and shock dampening filaments protrude outward away from the body directing vibration out of the body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION U.S. Patent References Protective Athletic Band Manzo—Jan. 18, 2007—US20070011796 Athletic Wrap

Dragan—Mar. 9, 1976—U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,525

Wrist Brace

Nirschl—Apr. 10, 1984—U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,490

Bowstring Dampener Gordon—Mar. 19, 2009—20090071458 FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to athletic equipment and in particular to protective athletic bands that can be worn on various areas of the human body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of athletic bands are primarily protective in nature and designed to absorb impacts. Examples of such bands can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. US20070011796 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,525. Other types of bands are designed to offer compression of the muscles and tendons. Examples of such bands can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,490. Vibration and shock traveling through the body can negatively affect blood circulation, muscle fibers, and tendons. Currently, sport bands claim to absorb impact, but do not contain a vibration dampening feature that also directs vibration out of the body. The current invention provides an added benefit to current sports bands and braces by dampening vibration in the body and directing that vibration away from the body.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a protective athletic band that dampens vibration and shock traveling through the body and directs the vibration and shock out of the body. The band in the current invention is composed of an impact-absorbent elastomeric material that includes a fastening apparatus. Attached to the band is a vibration and shock dampening rubber ring with protruding rubber filaments. The rubber filaments direct vibration and shock out of the body.

An individual can use the invention on any extremity of the body that is being exposed to vibration and shock. For example, if the pain experienced by the individual is in the elbow, then current invention would be placed a few inches before the elbow on the forearm. If an individual is experiencing wrist pain, then current invention can be placed on the wrist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other details, objects and advantages of the current invention will become apparent as the following description of the presently preferred embodiments proceeds.

The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the preferred construction of a vibration and shock dampening athletic band according to the current invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the inside of a vibration and shock dampening athletic band according to the current invention.

FIG. 3 is an unraveled view of a vibration and shock dampening athletic band according to the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 reveals a preferred construction of a vibration and shock dampening athletic band according to the current invention. The athletic band is identified generally by reference numeral 2. The athletic band 2 is a single strip of elastic which is comprised of a vibration and shock dampening material. Although athletic band 2 is preferably constructed as a strip having first and second ends (as can be seen in FIG. 3) that are detachably connectable by Velcro or some other fastening apparatus or fastening substance, it can also be constructed as an endless loop.

Various widths of athletic band 2 can be used to create the current invention. In addition, the athletic band 2 can be created using any vibration dampening material.

In order to create a fastening apparatus, according to the current invention, the preferred method is to use two pieces of Velcro that are sown to both ends of athletic band 2. The Velcro ends are generally identified by reference numbers 4 & 6. Velcro bottom 4 is sewn to athletic band 2. Velcro top 6 is sewn to athletic band 2. The Velcro bottom 4 and Velcro bottom 6 should be the exact same width as or smaller than the athletic bands they are attached to. Other material can be used to fasten the athletic band 2 together such as a buckle, clasp, button, snap, hook, or loop-type fasteners. The athletic band can also be constructed as an endless loop.

The vibration and shock dampening apparatus attached to the athletic band 2 is generally identified by reference number 8. The preferred material to create the vibration and shock dampening apparatus is a rubber ring which is comprised of a vibration dampening material (i.e. rubber) and shaped as a circle. The rubber ring 8 should only be made of materials that dampen vibration and shock. It is necessary for the rubber ring 8 to be in contact with both the body and the athletic band 2. The vibration and shock dampening apparatus can be made of any size and shape, but must be made of a vibration and shock dampening material.

The vibration and shock dampening protruding filaments according to the current invention are comprised of rubber filaments that are approximately 1 and ½ inches in length. The rubber filaments are generally identified by reference number 10. The rubber filaments 10 should be comprised of a flexible/flimsy, vibration and shock dampening material. It is necessary for the rubber filaments 10 to protrude away from the body so that vibration and shock are directed out, away from the body.

The fastening apparatus for the rubber filaments 10 according to the current invention is comprised of a rubber string tie that is composed of several rubber strings rolled together. The rubber string tie can be substituted with any vibration and shock dampening fastening apparatus or fastening material. The rubber filaments can be attached to the rubber ring 8 or the athletic band 2 by any method. However, to increase the effectiveness of the invention, it should be attached by using a vibration dampening material.

In order to create the current invention, one end of the athletic band 2 is looped through rubber ring 8 and bent inwards to touch the inside of athletic band 2 and then sewn together. In other words, the athletic band 2 creates a loop around rubber ring 8. The athletic band 2 is designed to wrap around any part of the arm, leg, wrist, or ankle and fasten together with Velcro. The rubber ring 8 is configured to provide a base/connection point for athletic band 2 and the rubber filaments 10. The loose end of athletic band 2 is then looped through the rubber ring 8 and pulled tightly against the arm. The loose end of athletic band 2 contains Velcro Top 6 which fastens to Velcro Bottom 4. The rubber filaments 10 are tied to the rubber ring 8 by the rubber strings 12.

The invention works by dampening vibration and shock that travels through the body and directing it out of the body. Rubber ring 8 and rubber filaments 10 provide an avenue for the vibration to escape the body. Athletic band 2 can be wrapped around any part of the arm, wrist, leg, or ankle. Once the athletic band 2 is wrapped around the extremity, the loose end of the athletic band 2 is looped through the rubber ring 8. Once the athletic band 2 is looped through the rubber ring 8, the athletic band 2 is pulled tightly around the arm and then fastened together by Velcro bottom 4 and Velcro top 6. Since the athletic band 2 contains a vibration dampening element (i.e. elastic), this prevents most of the vibration from traveling past the athletic band 2. Once, the vibration hits the athletic band 2, the vibration travels to the rubber ring 8 and out to the rubber filaments 10. The rubber filaments 10 force the vibration to travel out of the body instead of through the arm, leg, wrist, or ankle. Stopping vibration from traveling through the body can help alleviate and prevent many medical conditions such as poor blood circulation to the fingers and damage to muscles and tendons. 

We claim:
 1. A vibration and shock dampening athletic band for dampening vibration and shock traveling through the human body comprising: a vibration and shock dampening device attached to said athletic band, vibration and shock dampening filaments attached to said vibration and shock dampening device, said vibration and shock dampening filaments protruding away from the human body and including a fastening apparatus, fastening substance, or a continuous loop.
 2. A vibration and shock dampening athletic band according to claim 1 wherein said vibration and shock dampening athletic band is comprised of flexible vibration and shock dampening material, can be wrapped around the arms, wrists, legs, and ankles, can fasten together with a fastening apparatus including Velcro, buckles, snaps, strings, buttons, hooks, thread, or adhesive, or can be one endless loop.
 3. A vibration and shock dampening athletic band according to claim 2 wherein vibration and shock dampening athletic band provides pressure and compression in the arms, legs, wrists, and ankles and dampens vibration and shock traveling through the said arms, legs, wrists or ankles.
 4. A vibration and shock dampening device according to claim 1 wherein said vibration and shock dampening device is attached to the said vibration and shock dampening athletic band, makes contact with the body, and is comprised of a vibration and shock dampening material.
 5. Vibration and shock dampening filaments according to claim 1 wherein said vibration and shock dampening filaments are comprised of flexible vibration and shock dampening material, are attached to said vibration and shock dampening device or are attached to said vibration and shock dampening athletic band, and are protruding away from the body.
 6. Vibration and shock dampening filaments according to claim 5 wherein said vibration and shock dampening filaments direct vibration and shock out of the body.
 7. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fastening apparatus is attached to the ends of said vibration and shock dampening athletic band and is comprised of a fastening apparatus including Velcro, buckles, snaps, strings, buttons, hooks, thread or adhesive. 